United News of Bangladesh

Police have arrested Saidur Rahman Rintu, a leader of Barishal Metropolitan unit Awami League from Dhaka’s Khilgaon area in connection with a murder case. A team of Khilgaon Police arrested Rintu, 60, from Tilpapara around 9 pm on Sunday, said Talebur Rahman, DC (Media) of the DMP. Maya Islam, 51, a resident of Banasree G Block area in Dhaka, sustained bullet injuries during the student movement on July 19. Later, she was taken to Dhaka Medical College and Hospital where Maya succumbed to her injuries on July 20. Victim’s son Mostafizur Rahman filed a case with Khilgaon Police Station on October 31.

Michael Chakma, a leader of the United Peoples Democratic Front (UPDF), has filed a written complaint against former prime minister Sheikh Hasina and eight other individuals. The complaint was submitted on Monday at the office of the chief prosecutor of the International Crimes Tribunal. Prosecutor Abdullah Al Noman accepted the complaint, with Michael Chakma accompanied by former Jahangirnagar University teacher and human rights activist Rehnuma Ahmed. ACC sues ex-minister Nasrul, 2 family members Prosecutor Noman informed that the remaining eight individuals are members of law enforcement agencies. However, he did not disclose their names. Earlier, on December 18, Michael Chakma appeared before the tribunal and submitted an oral complaint to the prosecution. Stand strong, fearless in border protection: Adviser to BGB After filing the complaint, he told reporters, "I believe I am a victim of retaliation for my past actions, and I hold Sheikh Hasina, as the main accused, responsible for my disappearance. We have also filed complaints against those who were involved with her and those who assisted in the matter." Michael Chakma was allegedly abducted on April 9, 2019, while returning to Dhaka after completing organisational work in the Kanchpur area of Narayanganj.

Human rights activist and founder of Impact Foundation Bangladesh Mansur Ahmed Chowdhury has been elected chairperson of the trustee board of Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB). Mansur succeeds outgoing chairperson Advocate Sultana Kamal, said a press release issued on Sunday. TIB's founding executive director Barrister Manzur Hasan and Tahera Yesmin have been made members of the TIB's trustee board, the highest policy-making forum of the TIB. Read: TIB urges new ACC chairman, commissioners to disclose income-asset statements TIB trustee board member Faruque Ahmed has taken the role of chairman of the audit committee. Former Controller General of Defence Finance Motaher Hossain has been appointed as a member of the audit committee. Mansur, founder of the floating hospital Jiban-Tori, has long been dedicated to improving the quality of life for persons with disabilities and advocating for their human rights. He played a pivotal role in forming the National Disability Forum, serving as its chairman, and has also been a member of the United Nations Commission on Human Rights’ Committee on Disability.

The government has issued directives regarding the conduct of 'Shabguzari' (night stay) by the Tabligh Jamaat in Kakrail Mosque to ensure peace and order. A notification, signed by Dr Mohammad Abdul Salam, Deputy Secretary of the Political Section-6 under the Public Security Division at the Ministry of Home Affairs, was issued on Sunday. The followers of Maulana Zubairul Hasan Kandhlawia and Maulana Muhammad Saad Kandhalvi have been urged to continue their activities in their respective mosques in districts and upazilas, where they have previously operated, to maintain harmony.

Police detained five members of an international human-trafficking syndicate and rescued 66 people, including Rohingyas, who were gathering in Teknaf. The detainees are: Md. Rashed, 25, son of Abdu Shukkur from Shilbonia Para of Teknaf municipality; Saleh Ahmed, 35, and his brother Nurul Kabir, 27, sons of Sultan Ahmed from Kachchopia area of Baharchhara union; Syed Alam, 24, son of Rashid Ahmed from the same area; and Kamrul Islam, alias Md. Shipon, 32, son of Abdul Gafur from Gachhua area of Sandwip upazila. They were detained during an operation that took place in the middle Kachchopia hill area of Baharchhara union in Teknaf upazila on Sunday morning, said Superintendent of Police Md. Rahmat Ullah. Nigerian national held for illegal intrusion from India During the operation, weapons were recovered from their possession. Among the rescued individuals, 61 are Rohingyas and 5 are Bangladeshi citizens. They include 18 men, 11 women, and 37 children. Acting on a tip-off, police conducted a raid at the residence of one Abdul Amin in the middle Kachchhopia hill area of Baharchhara union this morning. 3 arrested with 340 sacks of Indian sugar in Sylhet: Police Sensing the presence of law enforcement, 10 to 15 individuals attempted to flee. During the chase, five people were detained, while the others managed to escape. Later, 66 individuals were rescued after the location was searched. A case has been filed against the traffickers under the relevant laws, the SP said.  

The Traffic Division of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) has filed 1,350 cases against violators of traffic laws during the drives conducted in various parts of the capital. Moreover, 31 vehicles were dumped, and 56 were towed away during the drives. ACC to investigate allegations of corruption in Third Terminal Project The drives were conducted on Saturday by the DMP's Traffic Division, according to Talebur Rahman, DC (Media) of the DMP. The DMP has announced that such operations will continue to ensure traffic discipline across the Dhaka metropolitan area.

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) on Sunday said it will launch an investigation into allegations of irregularities, corruption and embezzlement linked to the construction project of the Third Terminal at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka. ACC Director General (Prevention) Md Akhtar Hossain said this while briefing reporters outside the ACC headquarters in the capital, stating that project director AKM Maksudul Islam along with others, is accused of severe misconduct. ACC sues ex-minister Nasrul, 2 family members The allegations include abuse of power, fraudulent activities, and extensive corruption. Among the most alarming charges is the escalation of the project’s estimated cost from Tk 7,000 crore to Tk 22,000 crore. Reports also suggest that Tk 900 crore was embezzled through design alterations during the soil testing phase. Further accusations include selling three key segments of the project to other contractors through commission trading, using low-quality parts and equipment from China and Korea instead of the European-grade materials specified in the tender and widespread irregularities in the sealing work. 60 kathas plot: ACC to probe allegations against Hasina, family members The ACC also disclosed that Tk 400 crore was allegedly embezzled through syndication, while Tk 12 crore was wasted on unnecessary expenses aimed at appeasing the former Prime Minister. The under-construction terminal was inaugurated by the ousted ex-Prime Minister on October 23, 2023, with plans for it to become operational by October 2024. Akhtar Hossain assured that the ACC is committed to uncovering the truth behind these allegations and ensuring accountability for any wrongdoing.

Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) detained a Nigerian national for intruding into the country from India through Parshuram border of Feni early Sunday. BGB members detained Gilbert Aphe along with some medicines, a watch, a mobile phone set, and other valuables, said Lt. Col Mohammad Mosharraf Hossain, commandant of BGB-4 in Feni. He said the detainee came to India from his country on May 22. Read: No intrusion through borders to be tolerated: Home Adviser  The Nigerian national trespassed into Bangladesh territory through Purbo Nij Kalikapur village from India around 3am, he said. Process was underway to hand over him to Parshuram police station to take legal action, he added.

-Police arrested three people with 340 sacks of Indian sugar worth over Tk 20 lakh in Bandarbazar area of Sylhet city on Saturday night. The arrestees are Md Russell Mia, 33; Md Jubel Ahmad, 25; and Maron Befari, 23, according to a media release sent from Sylhet Metropolitan Police (SMP). A team of the SMP conducted a special drive in front of a restaurant of Bandarbazar by setting a check post on Saturday night and arrested the three with a truck, the release reads. Later, a total of 340 sacks of Indian sugar were seized from their procession, according to police. A case was filed against them with Kotwali Model Police Station and they were sent to jail through a court, added the release.

A former ward councillor of Noapara municipality under Abhaynagar upazila of Jashore was hacked to death by unidentified miscreants, said police on Sunday morning. The deceased has been identified as Ziauddin Palash, 48, son of late Ibrahim Hossain and former councillor of the Ward No-4 of Noapara municipal. He held the post of general secretary of the ward unit of the Awami League. It was learned that the miscreants hacked him with sharp weapons inside an abandoned house behind the Income Tax office of the municipality and left him critically injured around 10pm on Saturday. Hearing his screams, locals rescued and sent him to Upazila Health Complex where physicians declared him dead. Abhaynagar police station’s Officer-in-Charge Md Emadul Karim said they visited the spot and sent the body to Jashore Sadar Hospital morgue for autopsy. Several police teams were working to uncover the murder, he said. The victim’s father Ibrahim, a labour leader, had also been gunned down nearly two decades back.